Combine the Charlotte Bobcats’ 105-98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers with the Orlando Magic’s loss to the Miami Heat, and the Bobcats top the Magic by a game in the standings.

Small potatoes, maybe. But after going 7-59 last season – worst record in NBA history – 21-61 felt OK Wednesday night.

“Absolutely we wanted to avoid that worst record. It was definitely one of our small goals down the stretch,” said Bobcats co-captain Gerald Henderson (15 points and six assists). “Obviously things didn’t go as well as we hoped, but we played hard.”

“Coming down the stretch, we played as pros.”

True enough. They won six of their last 15, and in doing so might have saved their rookie coach’s job. Nothing has been decided one way or the other, but the relatively strong finish spruces up Dunlap’s short-term resume a bit.

“Coach, being a rookie, had some tough things to overcome. Especially with what he was taking on,” Henderson said. “Obviously he’s a hard-working guy and he had the same attitude every day.

“(His forte was) player development more than anything. That started right from the day he got here.”

Point guard Kemba Walker might have been the biggest player-development success. A legitimate candidate for NBA most improved player, Walker finished this season finale with 24 points and seven assists.